Asahiflex IIa – 1955

February 15, 2025February 15, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Asahi Optical Company, Asahiflex IIa with a Takumar f3.5 50mm lens. Japan’s first 35mm SLR film camera. Notice the film-like look of this image using a vintage lens.

The Asahiflex IIa (first image above) was photographed with a 1959 Auto-Takumar f/3.5 35mm lens mounted via an adapter on my Fujifilm X-T2.

On the left, Nicca 3-S 35mm rangefinder camera (1954) and on the right, the Asahiflex IIa (1955). Note the similarity between the two. Both used interchangeable lenses, but the Asahiflex allowed for direct through-the-lens viewing via the pop-up viewing hood.

The Asahiflex uses 37mm screw-in lenses, and the Nicca uses 39mm screw-in lenses, just like a Leica camera from the same period.

Expensive for the mid-1950s but not overly so.

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Comments are always welcomed, as I’ve learned quite a bit from reader feedback. As always, thanks for stopping by, and while you’re at it, feel free to visit my camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com (CC Design Studios hosted by Etsy). – Chris Whelan

Please respect that all content, including photos and text, is this blog’s property and its owner, Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic, Yashica Sailor Boy, Yashica Chris, Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris. Copyright © 2015-2025 Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris (Yashica Pentamatic Fanatic), Chris Whelan. All rights reserved.

Nikon Fever

February 7, 2025February 7, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Nikon F2A Photomic Set

I’m a big-time Canon and Yashica collector, so getting into the Nikon brand has been a fun experience—lots to learn, which has made it a challenge. Nikon F2A (F2 Photomic A) with a Nikkor 50mm f2 lens. Pictured with the AS-1 Flash Unit Coupler and AR-1 Soft Shutter Release. The F2 body is from early 1973, and the DP-11 metered viewfinder is from 1978. Do you have a favorite Nikon? This gorgeous camera will be in my camera shop soon (I think).

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random pics for a friday – a weeks worth of images

February 7, 2025February 7, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Fernandina Beach Historic District. Nassau County Courthouse. Winter sky.

At the beach. A reminder to never leave your trash behind and to remove trash whenever you visit.

Fujifilm X-T2 with a classic Nikon Nokkor 300mm lens.

Soon. I’ll be selling this wonderful Nikon set in my camera shop.

One of the first 35mm Japanese-made SLR cameras.

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Today’s Kit – Canon F-1

February 4, 2025February 4, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Today’s Kit
Canon New F-1 with NFD 24mm f/2.8 lens.
I love the ‘Canon Red’ braided strap.

As smooth as silk. The F-1 is a joy to use.

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Yashica Classics

February 1, 2025February 1, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Yashica ‘J’ series of 35mm SLR film cameras. The top body is the J-7, followed by the J-4, the J-5, and finally, the first one in the series, the J-3. These were heavyweight cameras in their day—the best (for the most part) that Yashica produced from its factory in Nagano Prefecture (Shimosuwa).

This image is missing the Reflex 35 or Penta J and the J-P.

Very subtle changes from the first to the last.

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Yashica Penta J

January 29, 2025January 29, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

The Elegant Yashica Penta J

It was released in 1961 as the next step in Yashica’s 35mm SLR line development. Actually, it’s still very much a Pentamatic S, but without the self-timer. This was the first Yashica with the popular M42 screw mount. The Penta J was also known as the Reflex 35 J in markets outside the U.S. and Japan.

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Monster Mash

January 25, 2025January 25, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

Monster Mash

Choose or not. I use both.

The MF drive handles better for me. Its grip is so big that I feel confident toting it by my side.

Canon’s film eaters: The F-1 is on the left with the Motor Drive MF, and the Canon New F-1 is on the right with an AE Motor Drive FN. The grip on the New F-1 is slick, so it feels less secure in my hand. The most significant difference between these two is that the New F-1 is a shutter-priority AE camera, and with this motor drive, all one needs to do is focus. The original F-1 would need the rather large Servo EE Finder to achieve the same performance results.

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Canon AE-1 Olympic Set

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025Chris and Carol Leave a comment

From the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Classic Canon AE-1 35mm SLR film camera.

Shown with a sharp Canon New FD 50mm f/1.8 lens.

My set will include everything pictured (minus the display stand).

This is the last AE-1 in my extensive Canon camera collection.

This beautiful set is now available in my Etsy camera shop at http://www.ccstudio2380.com. It’s been professionally serviced and returned to factory specifications, including a new battery. Just add the film!

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